‘It’s gonna be bad.’ Get ready for bitter cold temps as crews make Red River Gorge rescue

People in many parts of Kentucky woke up Monday to a blanket of snow for the first time this winter as bitter weather settled in.

Snow moved into the Lexington area and into Southern and Eastern Kentucky Sunday evening, creating hazardous driving conditions.

Lexington and Central Kentucky were to remain under a winter weather advisory until early Tuesday, with another wave of snowfall forecast to move through the region late Monday and drop an additional 1 or 2 inches of snow.

Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Sunday evening, and four campers had to be rescued from the Red River Gorge by helicopter Monday afternoon.

“We continue to ask Kentuckians to stay weather-aware as snow accumulation and below-freezing temperatures continue to sweep through the commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “Please check goky.ky.gov before you travel, and check in on your neighbors, loved ones and pets.”

Monday morning, police agencies in several areas reported that roads were slick and cautioned people to avoid any unnecessary driving, and to slow down if it is necessary to drive.

There had been a number of crashes, according to police and the state’s travel-advisory site.

There had not been any reports of fatalities or serious injuries caused by the winter storm, said Jesse Elbouab, spokeswoman for Kentucky Emergency Management.

Multiple campers in the Red River Gorge had to be rescued Monday after being stranded, Beshear said Monday afternoon during a winter storm update. The campers had to be airlifted out of the Red River Gorge area, Beshear said.

Kristin Gousse, spokeswoman for Powell County Search & Rescue, told the Herald-Leader that four students from Asbury College had hiked to Courthouse Rock in the gorge and camped atop the rock Sunday night.

When they woke Monday with snow covering the ground, it was too treacherous to hike out and and they didn’t have climbing gear, Gousse said.

Powell County Search & Rescue said in a Facebook post that climbing Courthouse Rock is dangerous even in good weather. With snow and icy rock faces, the situation was a “perfect recipe for tragedy,” the rescue organization said.

One of the students was able to call for help, and a rescue team hiked to them and made contact. Rescuers decided the best course of action was an airlift, Gousse said.

“Helicopters are inherently dangerous. When that is deemed the safest option, you know you’ve found yourself in potentially life or death situation,” Powell County Search & Rescue said in its post.

A Kentucky State Police pilot was able to land a helicopter on the rock and pick up the students. The chopper took them to the MiddleFork Fire Department where a Powell County EMS crew checked them, Gousse said.

The students wee cold but didn’t require medical treatment, Gousse said.

The agency did not release the names of the students.

One man was also reported missing Monday. It was not clear that the weather was a factor in the disappearance of Walter Dewayne Dale, but authorities were concerned about him being out in freezing temperatures.

In a news release, state police said Dale, 35, of Williamsburg, was last seen about 4 p.m. Sunday near the Eagle Falls trail head in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The trail winds along the river below Cumberland Falls.

In Laurel County, there had been 15 crashes between around 10 p.m. Sunday when the snow moved in and mid-morning Monday, far more than usual, said Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for Sheriff John Root.

People were injured in two of the wrecks, but not seriously, Acciardo said.

“They’re driving too fast for the road conditions and running off the road,” Acciardo said of the crashes.

The state reported Transportation Cabinet crews were treating and plowing roads in more than 70 counties.

Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said late Monday the dangerously cold temperatures meant road crews will have to treat and retreat roads as snow continues to fall. Gray urged patience as crews work to clear roads.

More than 2,000 state employees plus private contractors will be working to clear roads, he said.

Gray said several areas experienced some road closures due to weather conditions. A section of I-75 southbound in Fayette County was down to one lane around 2 p.m. Monday, he said. Gray said they are also keeping a close eye on I-75 near the Tennessee and Kentucky border.

“We won’t see temperatures above freezing until probably next weekend,” Gray said. “The real challenge will be icy roads due to frozen moisture that keeps re-freezing.”

Beshear said Monday area east of I-75 and in the southern portion of the state are expected to get the most snowfall over the next 12 to 24 hours.

During Beshear’s briefing Monday, Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of Kentucky, said the Kentucky National Guard had stationed troops and equipment at armories near travel corridors to be ready in case stranded motorists need help.

If you do have to drive, Kentucky State Police recommends having these items in your car: cellphone charger; blankets; first-aid kit; jumper cables; windshield scraper; collapsible shovel; flashlight with batteries; bottled water and/or snacks.

The agency also offers winter driving tips.

Areas of Southern, Eastern and southeastern Kentucky remained under a winter storm warning until Tuesday morning.

An advisory issued about 4 a.m. Monday by the weather service office in Jackson said heavy snow was expected, with accumulations ranging from 5 inches to more than 8 inches in some places.

Bitterly-cold temperatures will stick around as well, with wind-chill readings below zero forecast for early Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the meteorologist Chris Bailey at the Kentucky Weather Center.

“It’s gonna be bad out there the next couple of days,” Acciardo said.

Past that, the forecast includes the potential for another round of snow later in the week.

Do not call 911 to ask about weather or road conditions, Beshear said Monday. Stay off the roads if you don’t have to travel anywhere, he said. To check road conditions go to goky.ky.gov.